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A Wish Upon a Dress
A very special wedding gown leads two women to find the love they always wished for
The dress was made many years ago, and it came with a promise: the first man you meet is the man you'll marry.
Shelly Hansen is horrified when her great-aunt’s wedding dress arrives. Because according to family legend, she's destined to marry the next man she meets. So when she trips on an escalator and falls into Mark Brady’s arms, she tells him—and herself—that she isn’t interested in marriage. But then she starts seeing him everywhere. Is it coincidence…or destiny?
After her own wedding, Shelly sends her best friend, Jill Morrison, the dress—which is delivered to Jill’s hotel in Hawaii. But at least the man Jill sat beside on the plane—gorgeous grouch Jordan Wilcox—can’t be the man in question, can he? She met him before she got the dress. But the gown always ends up in a wedding!
"Her novels are always engaging stories that accurately capture the foibles of real-life men and women with warmth and humor." —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The dress was made many years ago, and it came with a promise: the first man you meet is the man you'll marry.
Shelly Hansen is horrified when her great-aunt’s wedding dress arrives. Because according to family legend, she's destined to marry the next man she meets. So when she trips on an escalator and falls into Mark Brady’s arms, she tells him—and herself—that she isn’t interested in marriage. But then she starts seeing him everywhere. Is it coincidence…or destiny?
After her own wedding, Shelly sends her best friend, Jill Morrison, the dress—which is delivered to Jill’s hotel in Hawaii. But at least the man Jill sat beside on the plane—gorgeous grouch Jordan Wilcox—can’t be the man in question, can he? She met him before she got the dress. But the gown always ends up in a wedding!
"Her novels are always engaging stories that accurately capture the foibles of real-life men and women with warmth and humor." —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 22, 2022
10 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
895 books20.6k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 2, 2022
i liked the first book a lot. very cute.
the second book - i liked it as well but the Jill and her mother were so damn dramatic, it was too much
the second book - i liked it as well but the Jill and her mother were so damn dramatic, it was too much
March 12, 2022
This book is composed of two related stories that are reissued from the original 1992 issue date.
Two best friends, Shelly and Jill are both single and not convinced they will either of them find the right man for them.
Shelly receives a wedding dress in the mail from her Great Aunt Millie. The legend of the dress is that it was handmade by a stream stress in Scotland that had the sight. It is a magical wedding dress.
The legend passed down in the family is that once you receive the dress you will marry the first man you meet.
Shelly is horrified to meet a starchy accountant right after she gets the dress sent to her. She is more of an artistic type and feels a stiff guy like Mark, the accountant could never be a good match.....
Later in the second story, Jill meets a businessman like her father who really is a bit cold and works all the time. She thinks that he will never be around for family, like her father never was either.
They both have a few obstacles in store for them and insights to see about themselves before they can see what to do about their love lives.
Two best friends, Shelly and Jill are both single and not convinced they will either of them find the right man for them.
Shelly receives a wedding dress in the mail from her Great Aunt Millie. The legend of the dress is that it was handmade by a stream stress in Scotland that had the sight. It is a magical wedding dress.
The legend passed down in the family is that once you receive the dress you will marry the first man you meet.
Shelly is horrified to meet a starchy accountant right after she gets the dress sent to her. She is more of an artistic type and feels a stiff guy like Mark, the accountant could never be a good match.....
Later in the second story, Jill meets a businessman like her father who really is a bit cold and works all the time. She thinks that he will never be around for family, like her father never was either.
They both have a few obstacles in store for them and insights to see about themselves before they can see what to do about their love lives.
September 20, 2024
I enjoy reading Debbie Macomber's books. They carry an heir of nostalgia. They are filled good stories full of life's ups and downs, but always have a happily ever after. This book was witty, funny, original, and the characters were enjoyable. The legend and promise behind the dress which belonged to the great-aunt of Shelly, states that the one holding the dress is destined to meet the person they are meant to marry. When the dress arrives at Shelly's place, she is adamant that she will not be one of those who marries the man she meets because of the legend of the dress. However, the legend exists for a reason and Shelly's life will never be the same again when she lands in the arms of Mark Brady. After finding her happily ever after, Shelly passes on the dress to her best friend, Jill. Jill also meets the man she is meant to marry and her story, like Shelly's is full of surprises that were unwanted, but fate had other ideas. Both shelly and Jill's love story were full of unexpected surprises. Truly lovely!
April 27, 2025
Man do I have some words for this book.
I’m being a bit dramatic, since my original thoughts were that it’s alright. However skimmed it and my initial issues with it increased by a certain amount.
Pros: it’s cute at times, and has sweet cheesy moments that *some* people might enjoy.
Cons: The romance is tacky, like real tacky at times. Like skip that page and pretend it never happened tacky. Cute interactions are forced at times with no slow let down, cause no just let the main couple kiss why not?? The first relationship was alright but the second couple infuriated me to no end. In my humble opinion it was toxic. I mean *one week* of a happy marriage?? That should be your damned honey moon time Jill! But whatever.
I’m being a bit dramatic, since my original thoughts were that it’s alright. However skimmed it and my initial issues with it increased by a certain amount.
Pros: it’s cute at times, and has sweet cheesy moments that *some* people might enjoy.
Cons: The romance is tacky, like real tacky at times. Like skip that page and pretend it never happened tacky. Cute interactions are forced at times with no slow let down, cause no just let the main couple kiss why not?? The first relationship was alright but the second couple infuriated me to no end. In my humble opinion it was toxic. I mean *one week* of a happy marriage?? That should be your damned honey moon time Jill! But whatever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2022
First story was too short, second story too long.
The history of the dress is fun and interesting. The characters were all likeable and the reader felt the love between both couples. I know Debbie Macomber is from the Puget Sound area of Washington state, but to get from Seattle to Long Beach in two hours is unreal. It would take at least three, maybe more depending upon traffic.
Overall, okay book but not one that will stay with me.
The history of the dress is fun and interesting. The characters were all likeable and the reader felt the love between both couples. I know Debbie Macomber is from the Puget Sound area of Washington state, but to get from Seattle to Long Beach in two hours is unreal. It would take at least three, maybe more depending upon traffic.
Overall, okay book but not one that will stay with me.
January 1, 2023
This was 2 sweet stories and finding love and a magical wedding dress. Two quick read romance stories about best friends finding the man of their dreams and the dress that is passed to them just before meeting the love of their life. Very sweet!
October 6, 2023
A quick little read while at the beach. Shelley receives a wedding dress from her aunt… it has “magical powers” she meets and falls in love with Mark. The dress also fits her best friend Jill and she meets Jordan on the flight to Hawaii. They too fall in love and marry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2024
A charming duo of stories revolving around a magic wedding dress. In true Debbie Macomber fashion, the stories are romantic and light-hearted. An easy and engaging read. Some may find the stories a bit predictable, but still enjoyable.
February 3, 2025
The plots of both stories is overly cheesy. Shelly was by far the most annoying character, but Jill is a close second. I had high hopes since the plot sounded like Hallmark’s Wedding Veil series, but these two stories were not even close. Mark and Jordan made some scenes bearable enough to finish.
April 8, 2025
I loved the first story about Shelly and Mark, but once I got to Jill and Jordan I couldn't get into it. It drug on and on and I just felt it was too boring and too slow. I'm sorry, I still love you Debbie!
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February 1, 2022Categories
Romance Collections & Anthologies, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Romance Collections & Anthologies, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance
March 11, 2022
very cheesy but here for it. great beach read
April 7, 2022
I have really enjoyed all of Debbie Macomber books.
April 14, 2022
Super cute stories.
April 24, 2022
(2.5⭐️’s)
Sorry, but I didn’t care for either story.
Sorry, but I didn’t care for either story.
April 24, 2022
Two stories in one that intertwine. The story overall was good but the girls acted like teenagers so I didn't really enjoy it.
June 18, 2022
Cute story ☺️
July 11, 2022
Loved all three stories!
July 13, 2022
2 cute short stories around a wedding dress
August 28, 2022
Great vacation read, two books in one.
November 17, 2022
Always lighthearted and entertaining.
August 30, 2023
It was OK. Two separate stories with a common theme.
September 15, 2023
Really light and easy read, but so cheesy and surface-level. BORING
October 2, 2023
Cute, very light read. Loved all characters.
October 18, 2023
A magic dress helps two women find love. The first story is better than the second
January 17, 2024
A quick read
July 29, 2024
this book is good but kinda boring
June 12, 2025
two very good short stories. great characters and story I just loved both stories.
August 17, 2025
dnf at like the second chapter
August 25, 2025
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews